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How To Make A Flag Boot Out Of A Horn - Page 1 of 2

Flags are often carried horseback at a rodeo or other horse-related
activity. A "flag boot" is a holder strapped to a rider's
stirrup fender so they can carry a flag more securely. By placing the bottom of the
flag pole into the flag boot the rider can hold the pole more easily than simply
carrying it free-hand, or by placing it on top of, or inside of,
their boot.

Below: A flag boot made from a cow or steer horn.

Flag boots have traditionally been made of leather, but a flag boot
made from a horn makes a nice alternative. A horn flag boot is fast and easy to make,
and is an attractive Western accent for any rider carrying a flag.

Choose A Horn

You will need to choose a
horn to use for your flag boot. You can choose a
horn according to your personal preferences or according to what's
available. You will need a horn that has been off of the skull long enough
that the bone and tissue inside are gone, and you are left with the clean
outer shell of the horn. For safety's sake, be sure to choose a horn
that will allow for easy entry and removal of a flag pole.

Below: A steer horn.

If you're curious about what horns are and what they're made of, you can see
our article Cow Horns.

If Necessary, Cut The Top Off

You will want the top of your horn flag boot to be fairly smooth, level, and
sturdy. If necessary, trim off the top of the horn to remove any jagged or thin
areas. Horn is easy to saw through and a simple handsaw will cut the top off quickly
and easily.

This horn came off a de-horned steer. It's top is already fairly thick,
sturdy, and smooth and doesn't need trimmed.

This horn came off a steer that died, then the horn slipped off of the skull
several months later. It's top is thin and jagged and should be trimmed
down until it is thicker and smoother.

Mark Where To Cut, Then Cut Slots

You will need to cut two slots into your horn so you can run a strap through
them in order to buckle the flag boot to your saddle. Use a pencil to mark where
to cut the slots on your horn, not an ink marker. Ink will quickly sink into the
porous horn shell and may leave permanent marks.

Below: The yellow arrow is pointing to two pencil
marks on the horn.

To know where to mark the horn for slots, hold it down by your ankle as
though it was already strapped to your saddle. Turn the horn around several
times to decide which side should go against the saddle and which side should
point away from the horse. If your horn is fairly
long or curved you'll want to mark the slots so that the finished flag boot
doesn't poke your horse in the back of the front leg or in the belly.

Don't mark to cut your slots too close to the top of the horn.
Cutting slots too close to the top can weaken the top of the horn, allowing it
to break. Also mark to cut your slots as wide apart as you can so that the area
between the slots doesn't break out.

After you have marked your slots cut them out. A Dremel tool with a cutting
blade works well for this. If you use a Dremel wear eye protection (little bits
of horn fly everywhere), heavy gloves (the Dremel blade can easily skip off of
the horn), and follow all other safety precautions as suggested by the
manufacturer.

Where To Find Horns

If you need a horn for your flag boot, try checking with the vet at a local
cattle sale barn at the end of sale day. Buyers will frequently send horned
cattle to the vet to have their horns removed before they take them home. Wear
rubber gloves and take along a plastic, sealable baggie because these will
be fresh horns with bone and tissue inside. After you
get your horn home allow it time outdoors, with free access by insects but
protected by predators, until you are left with a clean horn shell inside
and out. Caution: There is always a chance that
the freshly removed horn could be carrying disease. Handle at your own risk.

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